PLATE LOCATOR FOR PRECISION LIQUID HANDLER

摘要

A locator bed (28) has nests (30) where sample well containing plates (32) are held and positioned for accessing by probes (34) moved by an X-Y-Z positioning system (24). Each nest (30) includes stop posts (82) at two sides of a rectangular base (74) of a plate (30), and biasing posts (92) at the opposed two sides. The stop posts (82) and the biasing posts (92) have tapered upper guide portions (106, 108) for guiding a descending plate (30) into position and cylindrical lower portions (110, 112) receiving the base (74) of a plate (30) in seated position. The stop posts (82) are located on the surface of the locator bed (28) by conical seat portions (90). The biasing posts (92) are placed over studs (96) fastened to the end surfac, and hoop springs (104) are captured between the studs (96) and the biasing posts (92).